Our glandular, or endocrine, system is intricate and complex. It strives to maintain a harmonious balance, called homeostasis, of our delicate biochemistry. Interestingly, these glands have an enormous impact on our health, structure, and even our personality. By using glandular body typing, we can gain some insights into physical and emotional characteristics different body types exhibit. Steven Horne’s The Endocrine Symphony synthesizes research done by himself, Dr. Dorothy Hall, Dr. Henry Bieler, Dr. Abravanel, and L. Carl Robinson (to name a few) and is a good resource for learning even more about glandular body typing and the types.
In this post, I will list some characteristics for each type and also give a few celebrity examples to help illustrate. Further, I will include a song snippet that makes me think of each type. Enjoy!
To begin with, I will quote Steven Horne from his book The Endocrine Symphony. This will serve as an introduction to the glands and how they work in the body.
First, we have the team responsible for composing this life-giving music—the PINEAL GLAND, who provides the on-going inspiration for this work, and the HYPOTHALAMUS, who creates the arrangements.
Now the members of the orchestra come to the stage. First is the string section represented by the THYROID and PARATHYROID glands.
Next comes the woodwind section represented by the LIVER and PANCREAS.
The brass section requires some bravado as the ADRENAL GLANDS make their entrance.
Adding support and emphasis to everything else, the percussion section—the OVARIES and TESTES—take their places.
Now the soloist, the piano player or THYMUS GLAND, takes his prominent position at the front of the orchestra.
And finally, the audience rises in enthusiastic applause as the conductor—the PITUITARY GLAND—comes to the stage.
Let the concert begin.
People with a strong energy in one glandular energy are said to be of that type. Yes, people can have two types, though they will often be more dominant in a single one.
Pituitary – The Conductor
She’s the boss in the office, she’s the boss in the kitchen, she’s the boss in bed, she’s the boss in my head. She’s the boss! Okay! You’re the boss! Okay! You’re the boss! Okay! Okay! Okay! I do what you say! Okay! (Mick Jagger, She’s the Boss)
The pituitary, like the conductor, tells other glands when to start and stop. This is our mental center in the body and is responsible for perception of thought energy.
Generally, women are shorter than 5’5 and men are shorter than 5’8.
Energy center: brow or third eye Color: purple
| Physical Features | Small stature, delicate features
Looks young, child-like When not active, will get “baby fat” all over |
Women have small breasts, generally
Blood Type is often O |
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| Food Cravings | Dairy
Fruit |
Often finds raw food appealing (can go to extremes)
Does not crave caffeine |
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| Energy | Highest energy in the morning
Usually sleeps 7-8 hours |
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| Personality Tendencies | Idealistic
Intellectual Quick |
Restless
Curious |
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| Common Health Concerns | Obsessions
Poor digestion Chronic allergies |
Dryness
Headaches Weak joints |
Fatigue
Constipation Anxiety/depression |
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| Balancing Elements | Herbs | Nutrition | Physical | Emotional | Aroma | Color | ||||||
| Sweet
Mucilaginous |
Quality fats
Less fruit/dairy |
Up exercise
Work arms |
Listen to body
Manage stress |
Deep
Earthy |
Wear purple
Eat yellow Decorate yellow |
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| Glands to Strengthen | Reproductive and pancreas | |||||||||||
| How to Strengthen
(if weak) |
Herbs | Physical | Flower Remedies | Color Therapy | ||||||||
| Trace minerals
Mineral-rich herbs Increase head circulation |
Walk
Jog |
Hound’s Tongue
Morning Glory Mountain Pennyroyal Blue Flag Larkspur |
Wear yellow
Eat purple Decorate purple |
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Examples: Drew Barrymore (5’4), Tom Cruise (5’7), Scarlet Johansson (5’3), most gymnasts
Thyroid/Parathyroid – The String Section
She is taller than I am. She knew I wouldn’t mind the view there, or the altitude with a mouth full of air… (Jason Mraz, Please Don’t Tell Her)
In our symphony metaphor, the thyroid and parathyroid fall under the string section. This is because they tend to produce “wiry” or “stringy” people when dominant. The thyroid controls metabolic rate and thus energy levels. The parathyroid controls calcium and phosphorus for bone development.
Generally, women are over 5’10 and men are over 6’.
Energy center: throat Color: blue
| Physical Features | Long features (arms, legs, torso, fingers, hands)
Distinctly long neck Often A blood type |
Pot belly, spare tire, love handles, or jelly roll
Generally thin and wiry |
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| Food Cravings | Carbohydrates (especially flours and wheat)
Sweets |
Easily addicted to caffeine or stimulants | ||||||||||
| Energy | Changeable energy. Sleep is 6-7 hours when doing well, 9-10 hours when tired
Highest energy is after eating High metabolism, quick, restless |
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| Personality Tendencies | Intellectual but emotional
Loves words and conversation |
Changeable, loves variety
High strung (especially nervous system) |
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| Common Health Concerns | Fatigue
Variable energy Pancreas issues |
Poor circulation (hands & feet)
Stomach/digestive weakness Blood sugar (hypoglycemia) |
Hiatal hernia
Weak adrenals |
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| Balancing Elements | Herbs | Nutrition | Physical | Emotional | Aroma | Color | ||||||
| Tonic
Astringent Nervines |
Cruciferous veggies
Protein Less carbs No refined carbs No caffeine/stimulants |
Endurance exercises
Release hernia Strengthen digestion |
Meditation
Deep breathing Speaking up Finding voice |
Relaxing | Wear blue/green
Eat red/orange Decorate orange |
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| Glands to Strengthen | Adrenal glands and pancreas | |||||||||||
| How to Strengthen
(if weak) |
Herbs | Nutritional | Flower Remedies | Color Therapy | ||||||||
| Sea vegetables
Black walnut |
Complex carbs
Avoid cruciferous veg
|
Calendula
Cosmos Forget-me-not Larch Cerato Larkspur Heather |
Wear orange
Eat blue/green Decorate blue/green |
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Examples: Uma Thurman (5’11), Dick Van Dyke (6’1), Neil Patrick Harris (6’0)
Adrenals – The Brass Section
The bugle sounds as the charge begins, but on this battlefield no one wins… (Iron Maiden, The Trooper)
Because they are our warning trumpets, the adrenals fall under the brass section in our symphony metaphor. They alert the entire army (or orchestra, whatever the case is) that it is time to stand and fight or hurry with the retreat. The adrenals produce around 50 hormones and are our adaptable glands.
Generally, women are shorter than 5’9 and men are under 6’.
Energy center: solar plexus Color: yellow
| Physical Features | Large bust / broad chest
Solid, muscular Short thick neck Beer belly |
Big boned
Short, thick fingers and strong hands Flat bottom, skinny legs, bony knees |
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| Food Cravings | Meat
Salty snacks |
Staple, bland foods (meat & potatoes)
Generally doesn’t like spicy or exotic |
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| Energy | Sleeps 6-8 hours
Good energy all day; slow and steady; high endurance |
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| Personality Tendencies | Hard working
Steady, stable, practical Can’t be pushed around |
Amiable, sociable
Slow to anger Often prefers physical/outdoor activities |
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| Common Health Concerns | Cast iron stomach
Gains weight (abdomen/chest) easily Sweats easily Low/no sex drive |
Low backache
Trouble sleeping Rarely gets colds |
Low pulse but high blood pressure
Weak thyroid and pineal Often no allergies |
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| Balancing Elements | Herbs | Nutrition | Physical | Emotional | Aroma | Color | ||||||
| Aromatic
Kidney tonic |
Water
Fruits & veggies Lower salt Lower red meat Avoid coffee |
Flexibility
Upper body |
Mental challenges
Express self |
Spicy | Wear yellow
Eat purple Decorate purple |
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| Glands to Strengthen | Thyroid | |||||||||||
| How to Strengthen
(if weak) |
Herbs | Nutritional | Flower Remedies | Color Therapy | ||||||||
| Adaptagenic | Vitamin C
B-Complex Eggs Red meat Avoid coffee |
Agrimony
Arnica Black-eyed Susan Chamomile Dandelion Dill Mimulus Mugwort |
Wear purple
Eat yellow Decorate yellow |
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Examples: Rosie O’Donnell (5’7), Sylvester Stallone (5’10)
Reproductive – Percussion
The rhythm of life is a powerful beat, puts a tingle in your fingers and a tingle in your feet. Rhythm in the bedroom, rhythm in the street. Yes, the rhythm of life is a powerful beat. (Sammy Davis, Jr., Rhythm of Life from Sweet Charity)
In our symphony analogy, the reproductive type is our percussion. From drums to bells to cymbals, all things rhythm are here. This is our pulsing blood, our beating heart, our breathing, our instincts. There is an urge to create as well as a sense of security and being home. Reproductive types are almost always women.
Energy center: genital region Color: red
| Physical Features | Sway back
Saddle bags Large buttocks |
Weight on hips and thighs
Pear shaped (larger on bottom than top) Smaller than C breasts (when balanced) |
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| Food Cravings | Rich foods
Spicy foods |
Creamy foods
Fatty foods, ice creams |
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| Energy | Sleeps 7-9 hours
Rarely has trouble sleeping Highest energy late in the day; often low energy in the morning |
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| Personality Tendencies | Mothering & nurturing
Magnetic Warm & friendly Likes rich, well-made things |
Needs many close relationships
Enjoys crafts, cooking, creating Quick temper Presentation matters (food, self, etc) |
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| Common Health Concerns | PMS
Bladder infections |
Liver congestion
Water retention |
May feel better when pregnant | |||||||||
| Balancing Elements | Herbs | Nutrition | Physical | Emotional | Aroma | Color | ||||||
| Bitter | Fruits & veggies
Avoid bad fats/oils Avoid spicy foods |
Lower body
Strengthen kidney |
Mental challenges
|
Light
Mentally stimulating |
Wear red
Eat green Decorate green |
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| Glands to Strengthen | Pituitary | |||||||||||
| How to Strengthen
(if weak) |
Herbs | Physical | Flower Remedies | Color Therapy | ||||||||
| Reproductive enhancing
Estrogen enhancing (women) Progesterone enhancing (women) Female reproductive tonic (women) Herbs for male hormones – ginseng |
Walk barefoot
Garden Dance (moving hips) Rhythmic music |
Alpine Lily
Blab Blue Eyes Basil Calla Lily Fuchsia Scarlet Monkeyflower Sticky Monkeyflower Sweet Pea Easter Lily Hibiscus Maraposa Lily Pomegranate Quince Tiger Lily |
Wear green
Eat red Decorate red |
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Examples: Beyoncé (5’7), Hispanic and Darker-skinned women
Pancreatic – The Woodwinds
Far behind the forest of flying paper airplanes, grazing on the grounds of ponytails, the substitute is counting down her ticks till recess, hammering down to size her fingernails. (Jellyfish, Sabrina, Paste, and Plato)
The pancreas balances the strings and brass instruments. Out of balance, this player can “toot.” In our bodies, our pancreas gland is part of our glandular system and part of our digestive system. It produces digestive enzymes and also produces insulin.
Energy center: navel Color: orange
| Physical Features | Combination of adrenal and reproductive
Large hips and larger trunk Often large build in general |
Prone to obesity | ||||||||
| Food Cravings | Yes! Loves food
Especially gourmet food |
Loves variety and color in food | ||||||||
| Energy | Sleeps 6-9 hours | |||||||||
| Personality Tendencies | Either highly social or depressed
Enjoys eating Enjoys food activities (shopping, cooking, eating) |
Can be very playful or angry/sulking
Often hides anger as humor/sarcasm Survival intelligence |
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| Common Health Concerns | Overweight/Obese (often since child)
Diabetes Problems with liver |
High cholesterol/triglyceride
High blood pressure Problems with thyroid |
Heart disease
Problems with adrenals |
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| Balancing Elements | Herbs | Nutrition | Physical | Emotional | Aroma | Color | ||||
| Blood purifiers
Liver tonics Bitter |
Fruits & veggies
Berries Avoid bad fats/oils Add spicy foods Avoid too much protein |
Whole body | Mental challenges
Emotional activities
|
Spicy
Mentally stimulating |
Wear orange
Eat blue-green Decorate blue-green |
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| Glands to Strengthen | Thymus and thyroid | |||||||||
| How to Strengthen
(if weak) |
Herbs | Nutrition | Flower Remedies | Color Therapy | ||||||
| Digestive tonics
Bitter Pancreatic herbs |
Chromium
Zinc Digestive enzymes |
California poppy
Honeysuckle Nasturtium Zinnia |
Wear blue/green
Eat orange Decorate orange |
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Examples: Rosanne Barr (5’4), Dan Aykroyd (6’1), also Hispanic and multicultural persons
Thymus – Piano player
Sing us a song, you’re the piano man. Sing us a song tonight. Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody, and you’ve got us feelin’ alright. (Billy Joel, Piano Man)
In our symphony analogy, the thymus is the soloist and sponsor. Our thymus controls our immune system. Allopathic teaching says our thymus is not needed after maturing and the gland is replaced by fat and atrophies. This is incorrect; atrophied, to medical professionals, means at 50% or lower function. Atrophying is not a normal state of being and occurs due to outside influences. The thymus is the center of our ego and is associated with self-esteem and respect.
Energy center: chest over breastbone Color: green
| Physical Features | Combination of thyroid and adrenal
Hourglass figures in women, shapely Tall, muscular men |
Solid
Well-balanced build Often tall with long limbs and face |
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| Food Cravings | None to mention | |||||||||||||
| Energy | Sleeps 6-10 hours depending on tiredness | |||||||||||||
| Personality Tendencies | Empathetic
Feel other’s pain Often have difficulty severing cords |
May lose ability to distinguish self from others
Very sensitive Sentimental, matters of the heart matter |
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| Common Health Concerns | Often quite healthy
Sometimes have allergies Lymphatic problems |
Overactive immune system
Weak liver |
Weak pancreas
Weak pineal |
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| Balancing Elements | Herbs | Nutrition | Physical | Emotional | Aroma | Color | ||||||||
| Digestive tonics
Bitter Pancreatic herbs |
Chromium
Zinc Digestive enzymes |
Hugs | Love, affection
Put feelings into specific plans for concrete action
|
Lavender
Peppermint Sage Amber/myrrh
|
Wear green
Eat red Decorate red |
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| Glands to Strengthen | Pancreas and pineal | |||||||||||||
| How to Strengthen
(if weak) |
Herbs | Physical | Emotional | Flower Remedies | Aroma | Color Therapy | ||||||||
| Immune builders | Thymus thumping | 6-12 hugs a day (left chest to left chest)
Self-worth affirmations |
Beech
Buttercup Centaury Garlic Mountain Pride Oak Penstamon Pink yarrow Scleranthus Sunflower Yarrow Chicory Holly Vine Walnut Willow |
Myrrh
Frankincense Cajeput Lemon Thyme |
Wear red
Eat green Decorate green |
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Examples: Fabio (6’3), 36-24-36 type women, Lynda Carter (5’9)
Pineal – The Composer
| Was ist denn Musik?
Musik ist eine heilige Kunst zu versammeln Alle Arten von Mut wie Cherubim Um einen strahlenden Thron Und darum ist sie die heilige unter dem Künsten Die heilige Musik! |
What, then, is music?
Music is a holy art together all species out of courage as cherubim to a radiant throne and therefore it is the sacred under the arts the sacred music! |
(Composer’s aria from Ariadne auf Naxos by R. Strauss)
The pineal is the composer in our analogy. The pineal gland secretes melatonin and adrenoglomerulotropin. Both stimulate other glands to function and secrete their hormones. In this way, the pineal helps the body “write” the music. The pineal gland is another allopathic professionals will say calcifies and creates brain sand. This sand has been shown as possibly denoting increased secretory activity. Further, in persons with the gift of third sight and those who practice meditation, the pineal gland has been found to be twice the size it is in others.
Generally, pineal people are similar to pituitary and are on the shorter side.
Energy center: crown of head Color: white/violet
| Physical Features | Cheekbones are wider than forehead
Often short and frail/delicate A small thyroid type Often type A |
Youthful appearance
Egg head, larger in proportion to body Occipital region is especially large |
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| Food Cravings | None to mention | |||||||||
| Energy | Variable | |||||||||
| Personality Tendencies | Likes to be alone
Feels alienated, doesn’t belong Mystical, highly spiritual, psychic, receiver Easily overwhelmed |
Creative and inspired
Drawn to extremes Idealistic |
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| Common Health Concerns | Weakness in general
Poor digestive function Weak pituitary |
Excessive mental activity
Vivid dreams Weak adrenals |
Mental obsessions/compulsions
Weak reproductive Low/no sex drive |
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| Balancing Elements | Herbs | Nutrition | Physical | Emotional | Aroma | Color | ||||
| Sweet/Mucilant
Tonic/Astringent |
Improve digestion
Concentrated foods (proteins and high quality fat) Nuts, legumes, seeds Avoid refined sugar, flour, too many simple carbs |
Walk barefoot
Garden Build things Craft tangible things Needs sunlight |
Physical activities
Ideals/ideas into constructive action and follow through Social connections |
Musk
Patchouli Sandalwood |
Wear violet
Eat yellow/orange Decorate yellow/orange |
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| Flower Remedies | ||||||||||
| Canyon Dudleya
Chaparral Lavender Lotus Clematis Cosmos Manzanita Shooting Star Sweet Pea |
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| Glands to Strengthen | Reproductive, adrenals, and pancreas | |||||||||
| How to Strengthen
(if weak) |
Emotional | Aroma | Flower Remedies | Color Therapy | ||||||
| Meditation
Spiritual practices to increase spiritual awareness |
Lavender
Peppermint Sage Amber/Myrrh |
Hound’s Tongue
Madia Mountain Pennyroyal Mullein Peppermint Queen Anne’s Lace Sage Angel’s Trumpet Rosemary |
Wear yellow/orange
Eat violet Decorate violet |
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Examples: the typical college professor nerd, meditating monks, Vanna White (5’6), Christina Ricci (5’1), Daniel Radcliffe (5’5)
So what is your type? Need help balancing out your type so your entire symphony can create beautiful music? Make an appointment today, and we can work together to achieve your best health.